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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Ar00900

been openly avowed and deliberately entertained . It is quite possible , we admit , that all the brethren who were nominated did not accept their nomination in distinct opposition to the House Committee . Some we know disclaim openly any such intention ,

and wc fully believe them . But we beg to ask once again , why were letters written and circulars issued if it was not to carry out the unconcealed animus of some , and the antagonism of others , to the House Committee ? No , the " least said the

soonest mended , " we venture to think , and we hope that we have , for some time at least , put a stop to a course of proceeding by a little " cabal , " which was a parody on loud Masonic protestations , and an outrage on all Masonic sympathy and

precept . It seems that our word " cat ' s paw " has annoyed some very worthy brethren . We are very sorry for it . We did not intend to use it in any offensive sense personally , but simply to point out that they were rendering themselves

unconsciously the means to gratify the spleen , perversity , and impudence of others , of inflicting pain on some excellent men and good Masons . We hope that with this explanation , some good friends of ours will be satisfied , as they know us well enough now

to feel assured that we arc always sympathetic and never personal . But a very bad state of things has been existing amongst us for some time , a

sort of Masonic " gangrene , " which seemed spreading out wider and wider , and wc felt it to be our duty to speak out clearly , and honestly , and freely , as we hope wc shall always be enabled to do .

# # THE question of infusing new blood into a Committee by periodical election of fresh members is a very important one , and one which fairly may be considered without heat or prejudice . Such a rule

exists in many institutions or clubs ; but we arc not sure that it works well . As a general rule , the only effect of it is that when a man has thoroughly mastered his work he is removed , and a fresh hand ,

who has all to learn , takes his place . At the same time , many we know think quite differently , and it is quite competent for anyone to raise the question , and we feel quite sure that it will be carefully , fully , and dispassionately considered .

* * * THE more wc think of the last voting , the more complete and " thorough " appears the victory . And certainly no House Committee ever more fully deserved the support and confidence of thc

subscribers . Under its favouring auspices the Girls' School has arrived at a very remarkable position of efficiency and prestige , and we are glad to think that the good sense and steadiness to principle of the subscribers have saved it from

an untoward scene of personal antagonism . It will now go on its useful career and its beneficent aims , in all harmony , energy , and peace .

Wc should all wish well to it , and strive to help it to the utmost of our power in its efforts to uphold and develope a right useful and goodly Institution .

* * WE understand that there was a good deal of " cross voting" last week , which added greatly to thc work of the Scrutineers . Some of our worthy brethren do not yet seem to understand

tlie meaning and power of their own vote . We probably have read the good story where some worthy civilian voter , in thc Surrey election , objecting to a "lawyer , " put a " cross agen his name . " It almost seems as if some of our excellent

friends , m their hurry , forgot tnat they had twelve and nine to vote for respectively , and gave more or less votes . Such is an " on dit , " but , like all " on dits , " need not be true . We think that thc

Scrutineers deserve the best thanks of all who witnessed their courtesy and kindness to all , and were personally sensible of thc zeal and assiduity they displayed in making up that large return of votes .

* * WE understand that the Permanent Committee of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution has before

Ar00901

it the appointment of a Collector . There arc three candidates for the office—Bros . Webbe , Recknell and Worrell . * *

WE beg to call attention to thc " Masonic Magazine" for June , with its admirably executed illustration , and the famous Bro . Belzoni ' s notes on a most curious Egyptian wall painting .

* * WE beg to call attention to the short report of the proceedings of the St . Alban ' s Restoration Committee in another column .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approvmg of , thc opinions expressed by our correspondents , but wc wish in a spirit of fair piny to ail , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

TRURO CATHEDRAL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — My attention has been called to a letter in your columns , signed "A Past Grand Officer . " When an event wbich has awakened much interest and involved no little care and trouble has passed off well ;

when thankfulness and hope are uppermost in thc minds of those who have laboured to work out the plan ; when the Grand Alaster , on the part of the Craft , and the Bishop , on the part of the Clergy and of the people for whom the Cathedral is to be erected , have joined in prayer that brotherly love may be the outcome of that day's work , it seems hard to have to repudiate the language or a brother Alason

whose object appears to be to neutralise that prayer , and to set brethren and clergy at variance both with each other and among themselves . Nothing can be more contrary to my inclination than to enter into a discussion in the Press , but" A Past Grand Officer ' s " observations ought not to pass unnoticed , and , perhaps , no one but myself can answer them .

Thc writer tells you some things which he has no doubt heard , but which be cannot know , and about which he is mistaken . He seems to have heard that " when the request was preferred to " the Prince of Wales . " there was no idea whatever in the minds of the committee concerning Masonic rites . " So far from this being the fact : so far

from its being true that H . R . H . " made it a sine qua non " that either one , or both , of thc stones should be laid Alasonically , and that " this decision fell like a bombshell upon the committee and the bishop , " it was not until I had been authorised by an unanimous vote of the committee , and also by an equally unanimous vote of a meeting of

leading clergy ( both under thc presidency of thc bishop ) , that I asked His Royal Highness to perform the ceremony ¦ with Masonic rites . There being two stones was a subsequent suggestion of my own , adapted simpl y with a view to enable a larger number of spectators to witness the ceremony than coul be concentrated in the space available round the north-east

corner steme . The fact did , I believe , give rise to an idea that on stone was to be laid Alasonically by the G . AL , and the non-AIasonically by the Princess of Wales , or some o person , but no such suggestion was at any time made other Prince , nor was 1 asked to make it . It was , therefore , quite untrue that H . R . H . never had

occasion to express an opinion upon the subject , and the idea of any kind of controversy in thc matter exists solely in thc brain of the writer , and is to me utterly unaccountable . He then says that thc Prov . G . AI . and his ofiicers " took it for granted that they would be supreme " in all the arrangements . In reply to this , I can only say that the statement is absolutely groundless ; that every single item of the

arrangements was most carefully considered and determined by thc highest Masonic authorities ; that Sir Albert Woods , the Grand Director of Ceremonies , went into every detail respecting the procession and ritual , with a plan of the enclosures before him ; that , as far as I and my officers were concerned , our sole desire was to carry out bis directions to the letter ; and that

thc parts taken by bishops and clergy had been agreed upon , and thoroughly understood , weeks before . The clergy occupied the exact ground then assigned to them ; no attempt was made , or desire manifested , to alter the programme in any way ; and , although individuals may , ol course , have expressed opinions of which I have heard nothing , the general expression of satisfaction in the

proceedings on the part of thc clergy has been most marked . I can appeal with confidence tothe highest responsible authorities , Masonic and clerical , to confirm my statements against those of the anonymous writer , who is evidently ignorant of thc facts and also influenced by a strong personal animus . Personally he has to complain of three things—i . Having

had to pay five shillings for admission ; 2 . Not having been invited to the luncheon ; and , 3 . Not having received hospitality from Truro brethren . The charge of five shillings was made to cover the cost of the enclosure . It was cheerfull y acquiesced in b y the brethren in Cornwall , and paid by all brethren alike , except the actual Grand Officers , who came down to take their

posts as such in Grand Lodge , to whom tickets had been previously sent . I advocated it for the credit of thc Craft , because I thought it might cause invidious remarks if a thousand Freemasons were to claim gratuitous admission when others had to pay , especially if many who were

willing to pay were thus excluded for want of room , which ( although not the case ) was at one time anticipated , and 1 confess I hardly thought that Past Grand Officers , not actuall y on duty ( if 1 may use the expression ) would like a distinction made in this respect between them and any other members of Grand Lodge . If I was wrong I regret it . I only thought what I should feel myself . I now come to thc luncheon , and here I am conscious

Original Correspondence.

that there is much to regret . If your correspondent has seen my letter to Sir Michael Costa ho knows my feelings on that subject . I can only explain the circumstances , and ask others who were similarly aggrieved to accept my apology , as far as the responsibility rests with me , and I have no wish to shirk that responsibility .

Ihe luncheon was a public one , supplied by a contractor , the seats being all numbered . All that the Luncheon Committee ( which was not a Alasonic one ) could do was to reserve a certain number of tickets for those who might be entitled to special places . Beyond these ( which were much fewer than I had expected ) the only distinction recognised in allotting the tickets was the order in which they were

bought . The guests at neighbouring bouses would naturally sit with the friends who had invited them . There was great difficulty in allotting the reserved seats , and it must be remembered that there were civil , military , ecclesiastical , and municipal , as well as Masonic dignitaries to be considered . Not living in the neighbourhood I could offer no personal

hospitality , and I know that the hospitality of the neigh bourhood was strained to the utmost , and every house filled , but I endeavoured to meet the requirements of all actual Grand Officers , who were not otherwise provided for , ' by engaging rooms at an hotel ancl securing reserved places at the luncheon for as many as I believed would require them , and I was very sorry to find that the number had been

under-estimated . As regards Past Grand Officers I had no means whatever of ascertaining the probable number for whom luncheon tickets might be required . I quite feel , however , that had I not been somewhat overtasked I might , by greater foresight , havc done far better than I did . A simple notice as to how tickets were to be obtained

beforehand might have prevented disappointment , but the arrangements for the luncheon were incomplete when the Alasonic circular was issued . The feeling that thc leading officers of thc Craft should have come so far and returned with a sense of having received scant courtesy is one which will always be most painful to me , and , although I emphatically deny the

accuracy , and deprecate the temper of your correspondent's observations on the ceremonial , and feel sure that the brethren named in bis note ( with perhaps one exception ) will agree with me , I can thank him for having given me an opportunity of thus expressing my regret , which , if I knew bis name , I would do personally to himself , and , at the same time , repay him the five shillings , if he wishes it . I am , Sir , yours obediently and fraternally . MOUNT EDGCUA 1 BE , Prov . G . AL of Cornwall .

To the Editor ofthe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I have read your excellent report of the great meeting on the 20 th inst ., in last week's Freemason , with extreme pleasure , but regret to find you have made me an Egyptian and a member of the Pheenix Lodge , No . 331 , Truro , whereas 1 wore on thc 20 th the clothing and jewels I

wear in my own Grand Lodge of Scotland , being that of a Provincial Grand Alaster . 1 also wore the jewels of the Lodge of Edinburgh , No . 1 ( S . C . ); and Canongate and Leith , No . 5 ( S . C ) . Of course I wore my Irish Past Master ' s ( No . 620 , LC ) , and the Centenary jewel of the Fortitude , No . 131 ( E . C ) , of which I have the honour of being a member , as well as being an honorary member of the Love

and Honour Lodge 75 , Falmouth , and I attended as a member of Lodges No . 75 and 131—not of 331—but 1 must add tbat I spent a most pleasant evening with that hospitable lodge on the 12 th . Having arrived at the Red Lion Hotel , Truro , on the 17 th inst ., I soon became aware of the question as to the ! aying [ of the memorial column in the Westernsquare , alluded to by " A Past Grand Officer , " but soon

knew that there was not any cause for uneasiness , as on my arrival I had the honour of meeting the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Alount Edgcumbe , our valued and justly esteemed Provincial Grand Alaster , at the Red Lion Hotel , hard at work , and as he stayed at the Red Lion certainly from Monday , thc , 17 th , until after Thursday , the 20 th , I had better opportunities of knowing that his exertions never ceased

from early morning until late at night , and that he personally superintended everything . I am also aware that he reserved a large room at the Red Lion for the members of Grand Lodge , and had it so marked on the door . He also had thirteen bed rooms reserved for Grand Officers , from Tuesday , thc iSth , until Friday , the 21 st , and what more could hislordship do to make the Grand Ofiicers comfortable ?

Of these thirteen rooms , only five Grand Ofiicers came to occupy them , and instead of arriving early on thc iSth , as his lordship expected , they arrived on the afternoon of the 19 th , although his lordship was awaiting them all the iSth . From the place I was honoured in being given ( quite close tothe R . W . Provincial Grand Alaster ) , not only in the

Provincial Grand Lodge but also in the procession , no brother had , or could have had , a better opportunity of seeing and remarking the great and invariable courtesy shown , not only by his lordship , but by every Provincial Grand Officer . In fact , nothing could exceed it , as they " one and all" left nothing undone to honour and compliment every visitor . I must , therefore , totally disagree with our brother , " A Past

Grand Officer , as to any brother being "treated by them with little else than scant courtesy . " The exertions of our esteemed Bro . Fenn were untiring , anel only equalled by his courtesy and unswerving determination to carry out the programme as printed . His management of the very difficult movement of marching the brethren up Lemon-street in reversed order , and then down

again , juniors first , and into their places in the enclosure , and again the Grand and Provincial Grand Officers back from the eastern to tbe western enclosure , was , to say the least of it , admirable . As to the charge of 53 . for admission tickets , it was most fully explained by his lordship to the Provincial Grand Lodge , and was required by the cathedral authorities to pay for the seats around the eastern enclosure . His lordship as

the Provincial Grand Master bad no option in the matter , and , in my opinion , the cathedral authorities made a great mistake in making this charge , as the eastern enclosure was not half filled , anil if thc cathedral authorities had given free admission , and relied on the assembled brethren to join in a voluntary collection , the amount realised would have been five times tbe amount the tickets produced , and not have looked so like black mailing . As to the treatment by the Mayor and Corporation of the

“The Freemason: 1880-06-05, Page 9” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 30 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fvl/issues/fvl_05061880/page/9/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
CONTENTS. Article 1
UNITED GRAND LODGE. Article 1
GRAND MARK LODGE. Article 2
THE MASONIC CEREMONY AT TRURO. Article 4
CONSECRATION OF THE BEDFORD CHAPTER, No. 157. Article 5
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE. Article 6
PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER N. AND E. YORKSHIRE. Article 6
OPENING OF THE MASONIC WINDOW AT CHELTENHAM. Article 6
JESUITS AND FREEMASONS. Article 6
FRENCH MASONRY. Article 7
ST. ALBAN'S RESTORATION FUND. Article 7
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Article 7
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Article 8
Untitled Article 8
Original Correspondence. Article 9
Reviews. Article 10
Untitled Article 10
Mark Masonry. Article 11
Red Cross of Constantine. Article 11
France. Article 11
Obituary. Article 11
Masonic Notes and Queries. Article 11
Amusements. Article 11
Literary and Antiquarian Notes. Article 11
Masonic and General Tidings. Article 12
METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS Article 12
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Ar00900

been openly avowed and deliberately entertained . It is quite possible , we admit , that all the brethren who were nominated did not accept their nomination in distinct opposition to the House Committee . Some we know disclaim openly any such intention ,

and wc fully believe them . But we beg to ask once again , why were letters written and circulars issued if it was not to carry out the unconcealed animus of some , and the antagonism of others , to the House Committee ? No , the " least said the

soonest mended , " we venture to think , and we hope that we have , for some time at least , put a stop to a course of proceeding by a little " cabal , " which was a parody on loud Masonic protestations , and an outrage on all Masonic sympathy and

precept . It seems that our word " cat ' s paw " has annoyed some very worthy brethren . We are very sorry for it . We did not intend to use it in any offensive sense personally , but simply to point out that they were rendering themselves

unconsciously the means to gratify the spleen , perversity , and impudence of others , of inflicting pain on some excellent men and good Masons . We hope that with this explanation , some good friends of ours will be satisfied , as they know us well enough now

to feel assured that we arc always sympathetic and never personal . But a very bad state of things has been existing amongst us for some time , a

sort of Masonic " gangrene , " which seemed spreading out wider and wider , and wc felt it to be our duty to speak out clearly , and honestly , and freely , as we hope wc shall always be enabled to do .

# # THE question of infusing new blood into a Committee by periodical election of fresh members is a very important one , and one which fairly may be considered without heat or prejudice . Such a rule

exists in many institutions or clubs ; but we arc not sure that it works well . As a general rule , the only effect of it is that when a man has thoroughly mastered his work he is removed , and a fresh hand ,

who has all to learn , takes his place . At the same time , many we know think quite differently , and it is quite competent for anyone to raise the question , and we feel quite sure that it will be carefully , fully , and dispassionately considered .

* * * THE more wc think of the last voting , the more complete and " thorough " appears the victory . And certainly no House Committee ever more fully deserved the support and confidence of thc

subscribers . Under its favouring auspices the Girls' School has arrived at a very remarkable position of efficiency and prestige , and we are glad to think that the good sense and steadiness to principle of the subscribers have saved it from

an untoward scene of personal antagonism . It will now go on its useful career and its beneficent aims , in all harmony , energy , and peace .

Wc should all wish well to it , and strive to help it to the utmost of our power in its efforts to uphold and develope a right useful and goodly Institution .

* * WE understand that there was a good deal of " cross voting" last week , which added greatly to thc work of the Scrutineers . Some of our worthy brethren do not yet seem to understand

tlie meaning and power of their own vote . We probably have read the good story where some worthy civilian voter , in thc Surrey election , objecting to a "lawyer , " put a " cross agen his name . " It almost seems as if some of our excellent

friends , m their hurry , forgot tnat they had twelve and nine to vote for respectively , and gave more or less votes . Such is an " on dit , " but , like all " on dits , " need not be true . We think that thc

Scrutineers deserve the best thanks of all who witnessed their courtesy and kindness to all , and were personally sensible of thc zeal and assiduity they displayed in making up that large return of votes .

* * WE understand that the Permanent Committee of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution has before

Ar00901

it the appointment of a Collector . There arc three candidates for the office—Bros . Webbe , Recknell and Worrell . * *

WE beg to call attention to thc " Masonic Magazine" for June , with its admirably executed illustration , and the famous Bro . Belzoni ' s notes on a most curious Egyptian wall painting .

* * WE beg to call attention to the short report of the proceedings of the St . Alban ' s Restoration Committee in another column .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approvmg of , thc opinions expressed by our correspondents , but wc wish in a spirit of fair piny to ail , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

TRURO CATHEDRAL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — My attention has been called to a letter in your columns , signed "A Past Grand Officer . " When an event wbich has awakened much interest and involved no little care and trouble has passed off well ;

when thankfulness and hope are uppermost in thc minds of those who have laboured to work out the plan ; when the Grand Alaster , on the part of the Craft , and the Bishop , on the part of the Clergy and of the people for whom the Cathedral is to be erected , have joined in prayer that brotherly love may be the outcome of that day's work , it seems hard to have to repudiate the language or a brother Alason

whose object appears to be to neutralise that prayer , and to set brethren and clergy at variance both with each other and among themselves . Nothing can be more contrary to my inclination than to enter into a discussion in the Press , but" A Past Grand Officer ' s " observations ought not to pass unnoticed , and , perhaps , no one but myself can answer them .

Thc writer tells you some things which he has no doubt heard , but which be cannot know , and about which he is mistaken . He seems to have heard that " when the request was preferred to " the Prince of Wales . " there was no idea whatever in the minds of the committee concerning Masonic rites . " So far from this being the fact : so far

from its being true that H . R . H . " made it a sine qua non " that either one , or both , of thc stones should be laid Alasonically , and that " this decision fell like a bombshell upon the committee and the bishop , " it was not until I had been authorised by an unanimous vote of the committee , and also by an equally unanimous vote of a meeting of

leading clergy ( both under thc presidency of thc bishop ) , that I asked His Royal Highness to perform the ceremony ¦ with Masonic rites . There being two stones was a subsequent suggestion of my own , adapted simpl y with a view to enable a larger number of spectators to witness the ceremony than coul be concentrated in the space available round the north-east

corner steme . The fact did , I believe , give rise to an idea that on stone was to be laid Alasonically by the G . AL , and the non-AIasonically by the Princess of Wales , or some o person , but no such suggestion was at any time made other Prince , nor was 1 asked to make it . It was , therefore , quite untrue that H . R . H . never had

occasion to express an opinion upon the subject , and the idea of any kind of controversy in thc matter exists solely in thc brain of the writer , and is to me utterly unaccountable . He then says that thc Prov . G . AI . and his ofiicers " took it for granted that they would be supreme " in all the arrangements . In reply to this , I can only say that the statement is absolutely groundless ; that every single item of the

arrangements was most carefully considered and determined by thc highest Masonic authorities ; that Sir Albert Woods , the Grand Director of Ceremonies , went into every detail respecting the procession and ritual , with a plan of the enclosures before him ; that , as far as I and my officers were concerned , our sole desire was to carry out bis directions to the letter ; and that

thc parts taken by bishops and clergy had been agreed upon , and thoroughly understood , weeks before . The clergy occupied the exact ground then assigned to them ; no attempt was made , or desire manifested , to alter the programme in any way ; and , although individuals may , ol course , have expressed opinions of which I have heard nothing , the general expression of satisfaction in the

proceedings on the part of thc clergy has been most marked . I can appeal with confidence tothe highest responsible authorities , Masonic and clerical , to confirm my statements against those of the anonymous writer , who is evidently ignorant of thc facts and also influenced by a strong personal animus . Personally he has to complain of three things—i . Having

had to pay five shillings for admission ; 2 . Not having been invited to the luncheon ; and , 3 . Not having received hospitality from Truro brethren . The charge of five shillings was made to cover the cost of the enclosure . It was cheerfull y acquiesced in b y the brethren in Cornwall , and paid by all brethren alike , except the actual Grand Officers , who came down to take their

posts as such in Grand Lodge , to whom tickets had been previously sent . I advocated it for the credit of thc Craft , because I thought it might cause invidious remarks if a thousand Freemasons were to claim gratuitous admission when others had to pay , especially if many who were

willing to pay were thus excluded for want of room , which ( although not the case ) was at one time anticipated , and 1 confess I hardly thought that Past Grand Officers , not actuall y on duty ( if 1 may use the expression ) would like a distinction made in this respect between them and any other members of Grand Lodge . If I was wrong I regret it . I only thought what I should feel myself . I now come to thc luncheon , and here I am conscious

Original Correspondence.

that there is much to regret . If your correspondent has seen my letter to Sir Michael Costa ho knows my feelings on that subject . I can only explain the circumstances , and ask others who were similarly aggrieved to accept my apology , as far as the responsibility rests with me , and I have no wish to shirk that responsibility .

Ihe luncheon was a public one , supplied by a contractor , the seats being all numbered . All that the Luncheon Committee ( which was not a Alasonic one ) could do was to reserve a certain number of tickets for those who might be entitled to special places . Beyond these ( which were much fewer than I had expected ) the only distinction recognised in allotting the tickets was the order in which they were

bought . The guests at neighbouring bouses would naturally sit with the friends who had invited them . There was great difficulty in allotting the reserved seats , and it must be remembered that there were civil , military , ecclesiastical , and municipal , as well as Masonic dignitaries to be considered . Not living in the neighbourhood I could offer no personal

hospitality , and I know that the hospitality of the neigh bourhood was strained to the utmost , and every house filled , but I endeavoured to meet the requirements of all actual Grand Officers , who were not otherwise provided for , ' by engaging rooms at an hotel ancl securing reserved places at the luncheon for as many as I believed would require them , and I was very sorry to find that the number had been

under-estimated . As regards Past Grand Officers I had no means whatever of ascertaining the probable number for whom luncheon tickets might be required . I quite feel , however , that had I not been somewhat overtasked I might , by greater foresight , havc done far better than I did . A simple notice as to how tickets were to be obtained

beforehand might have prevented disappointment , but the arrangements for the luncheon were incomplete when the Alasonic circular was issued . The feeling that thc leading officers of thc Craft should have come so far and returned with a sense of having received scant courtesy is one which will always be most painful to me , and , although I emphatically deny the

accuracy , and deprecate the temper of your correspondent's observations on the ceremonial , and feel sure that the brethren named in bis note ( with perhaps one exception ) will agree with me , I can thank him for having given me an opportunity of thus expressing my regret , which , if I knew bis name , I would do personally to himself , and , at the same time , repay him the five shillings , if he wishes it . I am , Sir , yours obediently and fraternally . MOUNT EDGCUA 1 BE , Prov . G . AL of Cornwall .

To the Editor ofthe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I have read your excellent report of the great meeting on the 20 th inst ., in last week's Freemason , with extreme pleasure , but regret to find you have made me an Egyptian and a member of the Pheenix Lodge , No . 331 , Truro , whereas 1 wore on thc 20 th the clothing and jewels I

wear in my own Grand Lodge of Scotland , being that of a Provincial Grand Alaster . 1 also wore the jewels of the Lodge of Edinburgh , No . 1 ( S . C . ); and Canongate and Leith , No . 5 ( S . C ) . Of course I wore my Irish Past Master ' s ( No . 620 , LC ) , and the Centenary jewel of the Fortitude , No . 131 ( E . C ) , of which I have the honour of being a member , as well as being an honorary member of the Love

and Honour Lodge 75 , Falmouth , and I attended as a member of Lodges No . 75 and 131—not of 331—but 1 must add tbat I spent a most pleasant evening with that hospitable lodge on the 12 th . Having arrived at the Red Lion Hotel , Truro , on the 17 th inst ., I soon became aware of the question as to the ! aying [ of the memorial column in the Westernsquare , alluded to by " A Past Grand Officer , " but soon

knew that there was not any cause for uneasiness , as on my arrival I had the honour of meeting the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Alount Edgcumbe , our valued and justly esteemed Provincial Grand Alaster , at the Red Lion Hotel , hard at work , and as he stayed at the Red Lion certainly from Monday , thc , 17 th , until after Thursday , the 20 th , I had better opportunities of knowing that his exertions never ceased

from early morning until late at night , and that he personally superintended everything . I am also aware that he reserved a large room at the Red Lion for the members of Grand Lodge , and had it so marked on the door . He also had thirteen bed rooms reserved for Grand Officers , from Tuesday , thc iSth , until Friday , the 21 st , and what more could hislordship do to make the Grand Ofiicers comfortable ?

Of these thirteen rooms , only five Grand Ofiicers came to occupy them , and instead of arriving early on thc iSth , as his lordship expected , they arrived on the afternoon of the 19 th , although his lordship was awaiting them all the iSth . From the place I was honoured in being given ( quite close tothe R . W . Provincial Grand Alaster ) , not only in the

Provincial Grand Lodge but also in the procession , no brother had , or could have had , a better opportunity of seeing and remarking the great and invariable courtesy shown , not only by his lordship , but by every Provincial Grand Officer . In fact , nothing could exceed it , as they " one and all" left nothing undone to honour and compliment every visitor . I must , therefore , totally disagree with our brother , " A Past

Grand Officer , as to any brother being "treated by them with little else than scant courtesy . " The exertions of our esteemed Bro . Fenn were untiring , anel only equalled by his courtesy and unswerving determination to carry out the programme as printed . His management of the very difficult movement of marching the brethren up Lemon-street in reversed order , and then down

again , juniors first , and into their places in the enclosure , and again the Grand and Provincial Grand Officers back from the eastern to tbe western enclosure , was , to say the least of it , admirable . As to the charge of 53 . for admission tickets , it was most fully explained by his lordship to the Provincial Grand Lodge , and was required by the cathedral authorities to pay for the seats around the eastern enclosure . His lordship as

the Provincial Grand Master bad no option in the matter , and , in my opinion , the cathedral authorities made a great mistake in making this charge , as the eastern enclosure was not half filled , anil if thc cathedral authorities had given free admission , and relied on the assembled brethren to join in a voluntary collection , the amount realised would have been five times tbe amount the tickets produced , and not have looked so like black mailing . As to the treatment by the Mayor and Corporation of the

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